Chipper ponders future in Atlanta

Braves Notebook

Posted: Wednesday, June 16, 2010

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ATLANTA - Struggling through another disappointing season, Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones told The Associated Press he was meeting with team officials Tuesday to discuss his future and acknowledged that he's considering retirement.

Jones declined to comment directly on whether he'll retire at the end of the season, but it seemed clear that he's made up his mind and merely needed to work out a settlement with the team over the $28 million in guaranteed money he's owed for the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

"It's obvious that it's something I've been thinking about," Jones told the AP after arriving at Turner Field in his blue pickup truck about 2:15 p.m. "I need to go through the proper channels. Once those have all been taken care of, everybody's questions will be answered."

The 38-year-old Jones, who won the NL MVP award in 1998 and led the league in hitting just two years ago, met before batting practice with team president John Schuerholz, general manager Frank Wren and manager Bobby Cox.

"As best as I can gather right now, he's thinking about retiring after this year," Cox said. "But I can't give a definitive answer."

Jones told the AP he planned to discuss some "red tape issues" with team officials. Asked if those involved a resolution of his contract, Jones replied, "That would be fair to say."

He struggled last season and indicated that another difficult year would likely lead him to consider retirement, even if it meant walking away from a huge amount of money.

This season has been even tougher for Jones, though the Braves are leading the NL East. He's battled injuries and was hitting just .228 with three homers and 22 RBIs heading into the opener of a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Braves recall RHP Resop from Triple-A

The Braves have called up pitcher Chris Resop from Triple-A Gwinnett and sent down struggling reliever Jesse Chavez.

Resop was starting at Gwinnett, where he was 5-2 with a 1.84 ERA in 13 appearances. He'll work out of the bullpen for the Braves, taking over the long reliever role from Chavez.

Acquired from Tampa Bay over the winter, Chavez made the Braves despite a miserable spring. He continued to have problems during the regular season, going 0-1 with a 7.33 ERA in 18 games.

On a more positive note, Braves starter Jair Jurrjens threw 66 pitches in a rehab assignment for Gwinnett on Monday. He'll likely make two more starts in the minors before rejoining Atlanta's rotation.